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HHS secretary Alex Azar back in hospital for bowel condition

Associated Press
Published 10:47 a.m. ET April 18, 2018

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Eric Holcomb, along with the state and federal heads of health and social services, announced a ramping up of the state Healthy Indiana Plan, Eskenazi Hospital, Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar

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Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, speaks at a meeting in Indiana to address the federal approval going forward of the in-place Healthy Indiana Plan, Eskenazi Hospital, Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Part of the plan includes as much as $80 million to be spent addressing the opioid epidemic in Indiana. (Photo: Robert Scheer/IndyStar)Buy Photo

WASHINGTON – A spokeswoman says U.S. health secretary Alex Azar is back in the hospital for additional treatment and observation. He’s been diagnosed with a painful bowel condition called diverticulitis.

Health and Human Services Department spokeswoman Caitlin Oakley said Wednesday that Azar “remains fully engaged with the responsibilities of his job” and is in regular contact with his leadership team. Azar has been putting the finishing touches on a package of measures to reduce prescription drug costs, expected to be announced within weeks.

Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of small pouches that bulge outward through the colon. Such pouches – called diverticula – are common among older adults. They often don’t produce any symptoms unless they become inflamed or infected. Azar is 50.

He was first hospitalized in at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis over the weekend. Azar is a former senior executive of Eli Lilly and Co,

I'm grateful for the incredible doctors & nurses who provided me with excellent care during my one-night stay at @StVincentIN. Also thankful for my wife, who insisted that I call my primary care doctor when I wasn't feeling well. Glad to be back at work for the American people.